Autotractor.



' wrrxmssms:

- P. E. HOILT.

' AUTO TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED APR-9,1915.

Patented 0032. 3,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

INVENTOR ATTORXBY .Plzkyijfoli P.. E HOLT. AUTO TRACTOR.

I APPLICATION FILED APR-9.1915- 1,200,110..

Patented Oct. 3, 1916 a SHEETSSHEET 2.

. Original application filed September 18, 1913, Serial o.-79 A i 1e15SefiaINo. j205.

' new, o; s ioonroN, CA1'iIF OB1\l'IA.

w' ip iai To all yleoncrh:

Be it known-that 1, PLINY new;

citizen-of the United States re siding. .at

- Stocktomi'n' the county ofSan Joaquin andv State of California, haveinvented-new and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings,in which' Figure 1 is a side =elvation. of a self.- propelled travelingcrane constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig/2 is adiagrammatic rear elevation of the tractor element and turntable ofthecrane, showing the latter leveled in two opposite directions to theinclination of'the tractor. Fig. 3 is a side elevation in' enlargeddetail of the tractor propulsion elementontruck, show- 4 ing theturntable ;of the crane, mounted above it. Fig. 4 isa' similar view ofthe same in vertical cross section taken on the line I-VIV of Fig. 5.Fig. 5 is a-plan view from 1 above of the traction -truck with-the turntable removed, disclosing the traction driving mechanism, the turntableleveling mechan1sm;-onetraction belt also is removed to disclose. thetraction transmission mechanism. Fig. 6 i's a"front end elevation of theturntable and associated levelingmechanism in detail. Fig. is a rear endelevation of the same.

While I show andprefer the application of the endless belt form oftraction mechanism for many obvious reasons, I do not wish, however, to,be understood as limiting this invention to any particular form oftraction mechanism, as the leveling crane may be applied to portabletrucks, or to wheel driven tractors without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

In detail the construction consists of the traction element preferablycomprising the endless traction belts, 1,. 1 encircling the tootheddriving sprockets 2',v

2, and the idlers "3, 3. These several ing trucks with respect to theplane of the traction belts, and the pivotal mounting al- Divided and tliis afipntation filed April 9,

The major portion of the weight is supported upon the sii ppor t ingtrucks 5, 5 in which are suitably jouri aled the supporting rollers 6,that roll upon the top of the groundiportion of the traction belts 1, l.The supporting trucks I are pivoted'at7, 7 on the shaft 8 extendingacross thetraction truck and mounted in thesub-frame 9, fixed to theside beams 10, '10 on both sides of the machine. The supporting truckscomprise the side beams 11 fixed to the topplates 12,12. These topplates extend inwa'rd to near the center of the traction truck'at whichpoint they are pivoted upon the cross shaft 8.. This inward extension ofthe top plates insures the proper horizontal alinement of the support-Pate rted0ctL 3, 1916.

sprockets are freely mounted upen i axles, v I

respectively, which are mounted on .the,mainframe.

so I

lows a free oscillating vertical play or teetering of the trucks Whenthe traction belts are passing over'uneven road'surfaces] The plates 12can beof spring material to allow a limited accommodation of the trucksto the twisting of the traction belts.

Elongation of the traction belts due to wear is taken up by the threadedpush rods 13, 13 engaging-the sockets 14, on'the eye blocks 15, engagingthe'cross shaft 8 and threaded into the sleeves 16, on the eye blocks17, en= gaging the ends of one of the axles; the threaded push rods 13may be locked in adjusted position by the nuts '18.. The push rods 19are-not adjustable,.because the center of the other shaft 4 is fixedwith respect to the differential pinion shaft 20 carrying the pinions 2121 enmeshed with the spur gears 22, 22 fixed upon the sprockets 2, 2respectively. This .pinion or jack shaft is 'provided with aconventional diiferential gear mechanism'23, to' facilitate turning ofthe tractor. t

The crane mechanism includes the cross beams 28,28 fixed to the mainframe, preferably over the traction trucks for theproper distribution ofweight. To transmit the wei ht of the crane more directlyto thesupportlng trucks the longitudinal support fbeam 29, is interposedbetween the hoist frame and the sub-frame. The trunnion studs 30, 30mounted in the beams v28, 28 supportathe weight of the hoist through theturntable base 32 having the end plates 31,

31 pivoted upon the studs 30, 30 3' the base 32 constituting a -rockablecarriage for the turntable 42 all as will'be shortly described.

The lateral leveling of the turntable base or rockable carriage 32,,.,isaccomplished through the leveling mechanism comprising the gear segments33, 33, preferably formedin the plates 31, 31, enmeshed with the pinions34,34 fixed upon the shafts 35, 35, jour-.

naled in the cross beams 28, 28. These shafts are rotated'by worm gearsenmeshed with the gear worms 36, 36, fixed upon the cross shaft 37,journaled in the brackets 38, 38,fiXed upon thetraction frame. The shaft'37 is rotated by the bevel pinion 39 fixedi thereon and enmeshed withthe similar pin-f. ion 40, fixed'upon a suitably mountedshaft, v thatmay be mechanically actuated, or'pro videdaw ith the hand wheel 41 formanual operation of the leveling mechanism.-

By reference to Figs. 3 and'4 it will'be' seen that the rockablecarriage 32 provides a suitable ball race .or runway, for a concen trioantifriction support forthe turntable 42, both of which are centered byengaging the center. column 43 of the carriageor turntable base aroundwhich they freelyrevolve, between the base and the collar 44fixed uponthe column. I -The swinging frame 45 comprising suitable-side beamsfixed upon theturntable and suitably cross braced, forms the bed orfoundation for the prime mover and associate transmission mechanisms,clutches, and cable drums, etc. This swinging frame is provided withtheconventional mast 46, stay rods 47, and the boom 48 stepped intheswinging frame, such as make up the'conventional portable crane. Thishoisting structure is provided'with the usual sheaves, v

reeved with cables :0, attached to winding drums y, and grapplingdevices Z, etc. tails of construction ofthe crane mechanism willvarywith varying conditions to be met.

The prime mover-50, preferably an internal combustion motor, being theheaviest 'member is mounted upon the end 'of the swinging frame 45,opposite the crane, bet

ter to counterbalance the load lifted by thelatter. The drive shaftextension 51, of the engine shaft is journaled in the bearings 52,

53 and 54. The frame 45 is swung by the pinion 55, fixed upon thevertical shaft 56,

journaled in the swinging frame, this pinion being enmeshed with therack teeth 57, cut in the turntable base. The'u'pper end ofthe shaft 56is fixed'in thebevel gear 58. Two

loose pinions 59 and 60 are enmeshed with the gear 58, on;0ppositesides, to form a re-.

versing mechanism for swinging the swing frame. The sliding'cl-u'tch 61is 'splined on the shaft 51, and is adapted to be slid into and out ofengagement with the loose pin-.

on opposite sides of the bevel gear 58, wlll rotate it in ions 59 and60, which being type of tractor is best adapted to these conplane ofinclination, the load would swing either direction, according to thepinion engaged by the clutch driven by the drive j shaft 51. A similarreverse gear drive for i the traction mechanism provided between thebearings 53 and 54,comp.rising the loose O pinions 62 and 63 on thedrive shaft 51, and

the clutch 64 splined upon the same. drive shaft, andadapted to bethrown into and r out ofengagement withfieither of said pinions. Thesepinions are enmeshed on opposite sides of the bevel gear 65, fixed uponthe upper-end of the vertical shaft 66, suitably journaled in the column43 of the turntable base, preferably in vertical alinement with the axisof the studs 30, 30. The bevel gear 67'fixed upon the lower end of theshaft 66 is enmeshed with a similar gear 68, fixed upon the longitudinalshaft 69, journaled in the bearings 7 O, 70, mounted upon the crossbeams 28, 28 respectively. The rotation of 35 this shaft 69 istransmitted through the gear worm 71, fixed upon this shaft and enmeshedwith the worm ,gear' 72, fixed upon the differential shaft 20, geared tothe driving sprockets of the traction belts, as pred vlously described.Q

The said beams 10 extend to the point designated at 73, where they arejoined to the bracket 74. The spindle 75 is threaded in I the bracket 74, and swiveled in the front end of the steering truck 76, which ispivoted to the? main, frame beams'at 77. The steering wheel. or wheels78 are mounted upon an axle suitably attached to the steering truck, andsteered by a steering gear not o shown, as steering may be accomplishedin any suitable manner. The sliding support blocks 79 and 80 areinterposed between the swing frame and the tractor main frame, tosupport the free end of the former as it swings about it's pivot.

Thisv invention operates substantially as follows: Presuming the sceneof operation to be a sugar cane field, which in the tropics are largelyhilly or uneven stretches of land, with low swampy areas intervening, orthey 'm ay be deeply, ridged or trenched, presenting a poor foundationfor tractor or portable crane, the endless belt ,or-ffcaterp'illarditions. With fthe. clutch -64 engaged, the

powerof the prime mover istransmitted to thetraction mechanism, and thetract-or pro- ;ceedsto the desired location, probably along side of atemporary, tramway in the field,

by turning the hand wheel 41, in the proper direction to rotate thepinions 34, engaging the racks 33, on the turntable base pivotedj at 30.Usually lateral leveling only is'sufficient as the tractor can be placedto ac- COIIlPllShlongitudinal leveling, approxi-:

mately. The threaded spindle 75 operated by the hand wheel 81,interposed between the steering truck and. the tractor ,main frame,provides a positive means for-varying the height between the steeringwheels and the front end of the tractor-frame,'to accomplishlongitudinal leveling ofthe turntable, when necessary.- Thisindirectleveling of the turntable longitudinally of the tractor is preferred,for the reason that direct leveling ofthe turntable in more than oneplane, would unnecessarily complicate the transmission 'ofpower from theprime mover, through the turntable, to the traction mechanism beneath;although such universal leveling of the turntable is mechanicallypossible. With the turntable properly 'leveled, the clutch 61 is engagedto swing the turntable to bring the boom of the crane posedbetween thedrum ,and the gear 83, and

I controlled by the hand lever '84 in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is I 1. The combination of a "vehicle'frame, a carriagemounted for oscillation in a direction transversely of the frame, aturntable -on the rockable carriage, and a prime mover carried by theturntable with connections for rotating the turntable on the carriage,

and means for raising and lowering the main frame longitudinally of thevehicle.

2. A main frame, a traction member, a

. shaft mounted on the mainframe with connections for driving thetraction member, a

turntable on the main frame, means for tilting the turntable withrespect to the frame to maintain the turntable horizontal irrespectiveof the qhara'cter of the ground on which the machine sets, a primemover'carried by and movable with the turntable and drive connectionsbetween the prime mover on the turntable and the said drive shaft on themain frame.

3. A main frame, a traction member, a shaft mounted on the main framewith connections for driving the traction member, a turntable on themain frame, means for tilting the turntable with respect to the, frameto maintain the turntable horizontal irrespective of thecharacter of theground on which the machine sets, a prime mover carried byiand movablewith;thet'urntable and drive connections between the prime mover on theturntable and the said drive shaft on 'the main frame, and means torotate the turntable .from the prime mover. v

4. In avehicle, the combination of a main frame, means for'levehngthemain frame longitudinally of the'vehicle, an auxiliary frame supportedby the main frame, and means for leveling the auxiliary frametransversely of the vehicle. g In a vehicle, the combination of a mainframe, front and rear ground supportsfor saida. main frame, f means forraising and lowering one of said supports to level'said mainframelongitudinally of the vehicle, an auxiliary frame supported by the mainframe, and means for tilting said auxiliary frame about an axisextending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle to level theauxiliary frame transversely on the main frame.

6. In a vehicle, the combination of a main frame, front and rear groundsupports for the same, means for raising and lowering one of saidsupports to level the main frame longitudinally of the vehicle, aturntable supported by the main frame, and means for tilting saidturntable about anaxis extending longitudinally with respect to thevehicle to level the turntable transversely on the main frame. I

7. Thecombination of a vehicle frame, a driving support for the same, ahorizontally arranged transmission shaft geared with said drivingsupport, a carriage mounted for oscillation relatively-tothe frame, in adirection transversely of the frame on an V axis coincident with theaxis of said transmission shaft, a turntable mounted in the rockable-carriage ,.-.a motor carried by the turntable with connections forrotating the turntable in the carriage, a vertically arranged shaftgeared with the motor and ro-.

tatable .on an axis coincident with the axis ofrotation of theturntable, and gearing intermediate said vertical shaft and thetransmission shaft.

'8. The combination of a vehicle frame, a driving support for the same,a horizontally arranged transmission shaft geared with said drivingsupport, a carriage mounted for oscillation relatively to theframe in adirection transversely of the frame on an axis coincident with the axisof said transmission shaft, a turntable mounted o'n-the rockablecarriage, a motor carried by the turntable with connections for rotatingthe turntable on the carriage, a vertically arranged shaft geared withthe motor and rotatable on an axis coincident withthe axis of rotationof the turntable, gearing intermediate said vertical shaft andthetransmission shaft, and means for raising and lowering said vehicleframebodilyat one end. I

' 9. The combination of a mainframe, a driving support for the same, ahorizontally arranged transmission shaft, an auxiliary frame supportedby the main frame, means for tilting said auxiliary frame relatively tothe main frame on an axis coincident with the axis of the transmissionshaft, a motor carried by the auxiliary frame, a vertically arrangedshaft geared with the motor and extending through the auxiliary frameand gearing intermediate said vertical shaft and the transmission shaft;Ii

10. The combination of a main frame, a

driving support for the same,,a horizontally arranged transmisslonshaft, anauxiliary L my hand-in the Witnesses.

frame supported by the main frame, means for tilting said auxiliaryframe relatively to the main frame on an axis coincident With the -axisof the transmission shaft, a motor carried by thetauxiliaryfframa'avertically arranged 'shaftge'ared with the motor and extending throughthe auxiliary frame, gearing intermediate said vertical shaft and thetransmission shaft, and means for rais- .ing and lowering the main framebodily at one end. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set presence of two subscribingPLINY E. HOLT.

FRANK H. CHIsHoLM, WILLIAM P. FERe ssoN.

